He made you feel plain
When he forgot your name
Well let me tell you something
I have felt the same
I know you're in pain
But there'll be another boy along the way and
There will only be one of you and
There's nothing about you that's plain
"C'mon Ron! Let's go walk around the lake for a spell." Lavender grinned at her boyfriend, pleased about her witty pun and excited at the prospect of spending some time with her own personal 'hero'.
But her smile vanished upon the red-head's next words as he turned around. "Sure 'Mione, just let me send this letter off with Pig. I'll meet you out there, yeah?"
And, without even looking at her, Ron swept out of the portrait hole and was gone. She rushed to the opening and looked out, but had already vanished from sight.
Lavender sighed and figured, hey, why not? And began making her way down to the Black Lake. She kept her head down and hands stuffed in her pockets. It was a rather sunny Saturday, and she was taking full advantage of the chance to dress casually.
The jean skirt, leggings, and halter-top were rather cute; and accentuated her long legs and hourglass figure. But, just as it had been since that life-changing Quidditch match, nothing she wore seemed to catch Ron's eye.
Shoot, if he hadn't gasped her name when she kissed him that first time, she might believe that he was under the impression that she was either Hermione or Harry. Because he hardly seemed to ever look at her, and almost always called her by one of those names.
Her mum and da had always told her about how beautiful she was, how much of a princess she was; but, in a deep, dark place inside of her, she'd never believed it.
After all, before and during Hogwarts, and during her summers off, no guy had ever expressed interest in her. Sure she had a lot of guy friends at home, whom she treated and thought as as friends; but still, no one ever made any sort of advance or proposition.
Even at Hogwarts, where she lived for nine-ten months out of the year, she had never been asked out to Hogsmeade or even to the library for some private study time (and she wouldn't actually mind if it had been actual studying, she was that desperate).
All the girls around her, friends and frenemies, all had dates and crushes and private snogs in broom closets (but not the fourth floor one on the right hand side- Parvati had discovered that the brooms didn't appreciate their disturbed rest and protested – rather violently).
But not her. Not Lavender. Ms. Brown. Plain, unassuming, dull, average. Named after two colors because her parents had no sense of imagination and that was the color on mum's nails at the time. And, really, with a last name as ordinary and common as 'Brown' – the color of mud and dirt and "fucking shit", she growled as she kicked one of the suits of armor's feet before running from his angry axe – she was doomed from the bloody start.
Having run the rest of the way to the lake, she perched upon a rock with a view over the sparkling water – a rock that she'd seen Ron sit at a hundred times over the past six years.
But, she scowled, he was always with Harry and Hermione.
She'd had a long-standing crush on Ronald Weasley for almost three years now. There had been a rumor going around that he'd fought off a Grim to protect his friends and had ended up in the Hospital Wing for his bravery (Slytherin and Ravenclaw's read: stupidity). So she'd snuck in to see him, only to discover him laying, pale and unconscious, with a broken leg.
She'd realized that the rumors were true, and had immediately felt a bit more respect for the chess-loving, food-shoveling, quidditch-obsessed boy. And that respect had morphed into awe, and the awe into adoration, and the adoration into… well… unrequited love, apparently.
In her imagination Ron had always been the handsome, brave prince; and her the delicate princess. But reality was a far harsher master. Harry and Hermione were the prince(sses), and she was the jealous, horrid stepsister; having grown up in the same house and now trying to steal him away.
Even now, she could see Ron coming out of the castle, arm in arm with Harry and Hermione. They were all laughing, and Ron's ice blue-violet eyes were sparkling, and his cheeks were flushed with merry red. They seemed to be heading for their rock – the rock that Lavender had stolen – when both Harry and Hermione caught sight of her.
As one, they glared, turned, and dragged Ron off to the other end of the lake. And, as they settled against the old oak tree and lounged in the grass eating candy and chocolate frogs and laughing; Lavender knew that Ron hadn't even noticed her.
His whole fucking world seemed to be centered around those two. Whether Harry was happy or had a nightmare the previous night, whether Hermione had eaten lunch or not because 'she tends to forget such things when she's studying. Dedicated girl she is, our 'Mione'.
And the affection and caring in his voice spoke it all. Because they were his Harry and Hermione, just the same as Ron and Hermione belonged to Harry, and Harry and Ron belonged to Hermione.
They were a trio, a triad. Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They were and had been and always would be. Everyone could fucking see it- except for Ron, apparently. And Lavender had lost count of the number of disgusted, condemning, or even pitying glances she'd received ever since she hooked up with Ron. Because she was trying to steal Ron – essentially, upset the balance of the universe.
But she wouldn't – couldn't – give up her dream so easily. She had her Prince within sight, and she was going to do everything she could to get his attention.
Because Lavender Brown was tired of being plain, of being invisible.
You are jewel you're a treasure
You are one of a kind
And you shine just as bright
As the stars in the sky
You're a rare kind of wonder
Created just right
So keep your head up no matter the pain
There's nothing about you that's plain
So she did everything she could. She dressed in skimpier and shorter clothes; she didn't even get a blink.
She started calling him the most ridiculous, disgusting, annoying nicknames; like 'Won-Won' and 'Ronny-poo' and even, once, 'Billy-bee' (Lavender nearly gagged herself). And yet, nary a twitch.
She began hanging all over him, following him, stalking him. She almost thought he had snorted in derision or scorn – a reaction! – but he was just sneezing over the Liumas Puffter's pollen in Herbology; turns out he had an allergic reaction.
But when she asked to leave early to see him, Madam Sprout said no; that he would be fine.
But, do you know whom she did allow to leave early and see him? Yep, Harry and Hermione.
It was enough to make her burn with jealousy and anger… or break down and sob in hopelessness and despair.
Even the teachers could see it! But Lavender wouldn't give up, she wouldn't let go. She was a Gryffindor after all, and Gryffindors never give up.
Even the really plain, invisible ones.
You tell me 'you're not the type'
The kind of girl that they like
And you're a little insecure about
How you look in their eyes
Well fashion will change
Trends come and go everyday
But there will only be one of you and
There's nothing about you that's plain
She ran up to Gryffindor Tower during break and changed her clothes – like she always did at least four times a day in hopes of getting him to see her – before rushing down to the Hospital Wing. She knew that Harry and Hermione were spending the break in the library, looking up the symptoms to Puffter allergies and possible cures – seeings how, apparently, Ron was also allergic to the chemicals released in the stewed Devil's Snare in the counter potion.
Her poor Prince just couldn't seem to catch a break, and he needed her to stand strong by his bedside until he awoke. Maybe then, when he woke up and saw her loyal and smiling – even if a little plain – face, maybe then, he would see her.
Her thoughts and hopes and desperate dreams were brought to an abrupt stop when she turned the corner and collided… with a rather infamous group of Slytherins.
She stiffened when Draco sneered before looking her up and down in a way that made her skin feel like it was filled with ants. "So," he drawled with a raised eyebrow. "The Slut is off to woo her Weasel Prince. Why don't you just go in naked, I'm sure it wouldn't make any difference."
Lavender briefly noticed the girl's – Parkingson? – horrified glance towards the Malfoy Heir, or the way that she shrunk back into the two boys – Nott and Zabrina? Zabini? – behind her. After that, she didn't notice anything beyond the blood roaring in her ears.
Unfortunately, it wasn't loud enough to drown out the horrible poison and truth that dripped from the smirking bastard's lips. "Congratulations, Brown, you're officially the first Gryffindor I've ever actually pitied. Everyone can see that the Weasel couldn't care less about you, and you're only setting yourself up as the most desperate skank at Hogwarts. It's rather pathetic, really."
And suddenly she saw, she knew, that her's was a fruitless venture. And she realized how far she had capitulated in her quest for her happily-ever-after.
The girl who loved X-Men comics, skinny dipping in the Black Lake at midnight, and took fencing and horseback riding lessons as home, had all but disappeared. And for what? Short skirts, heavy, sluttish makeup, and a boy who she wasn't even sure knew her name?
The truth was painful, glaringly obvious, and maliciously cruel as it was revealed by sadistically gleeful grey eyes. So Lavender did the only thing that she could do, Gryffindor lion or not.
She ran.
She ran from the truth, from the pain and anguish. But, most of all, she ran from herself.
And it seemed like her whole life would be nothing more than a fruitless venture. But who cares, really? She's just the pathetic, ordinary, lonely, invisible Ms. Brown.
Just… plain.
You are a jewel you're a treasure
You are one of a kind and
You shine just a bright as
The stars in the sky
You're a rare kind of wonder created just right
So keep your head up no matter the pain
There's nothing about you that's plain
Lavender lost track of the time she spent weeping and sobbing in the third corridor bathroom. Malfoy's words were a acidic, bitter, painful pill to swallow; and Lavender felt like her heart would never stop breaking and breaking and breaking.
So, when an unexpected hand landed on her shoulder, she nearly left her body in fright as she yelped.
She turned to see who was behind her, and was frustrated with herself when she found that she had to wipe her eyes furiously before she could see through the heavy veil of tears.
As soon as she caught sight of her companion, Lavender suddenly, desperately wished that she was invisible. Because anything would be better than being caught sobbing like a first year Hufflepuff in front of a Slytherin – even is it was only Pansy Parkingson.
For a minute, though, Lavender had to wonder if she was hallucinating. Maybe her bout of uncontrollable tears had left her overly dehydrated? Because there was no way that Parkingson was crying too.
But this was proven true, however, when Pansy – suddenly, Lavender couldn't find it in herself to refer to her by her last name – dropped to her knees before her.
"I know, Lav. By Merlin, I know." And the knowledge and pain and truth in her eyes was so potent, so real, that Lavender automatically believed her. And in that moment, both broken girls found a kindred spirit.
And, as they held each other and cried and unloaded their burdens, a small part of their hearts were soothed, and they began to heal.
Because Pansy understood just as Lavender understood. They both saw, and suddenly, they weren't invisible anymore.
See your mind, it is precious
Though your heart may be restless
And your eyes they will see
All that you're meant to be
'Cause your spirit is strong
And your soul carries on
You'll keep your head up no matter the pain
There's nothing about you that's plain
Pansy was waiting around the corner to hold Lavender after she broke it off with Ron. And Pansy had never wanted to curse the red-head more than in that moment, when he just shrugged and said, "Alright, whatever," before going back to shoving copious amounts of food into his gullet.
After the final tears that she would ever shed over Ronald Weasley had stopped falling, Lavender sat back and smiled at her new friend, feeling like the experience was remarkably cathartic.
She felt a little bit more like herself again; as well as a completely new person.
Pansy smiled at her Gryffindor friend – and wasn't that a surprise? – even while still-unhealed, similar pain shined in her own eyes. But she felt a bit of hope, too, that she could do the same. But this was a victory, and triumph, and it deserved some light-hearted fun and celebration.
"If it's any consolation," Pansy smirked, eyes dancing with hidden mirth. "You don't have to worry about cooking for and feeding that food processor he calls a stomach. And I've heard that he snores something awful."
"No!" Lavender gasped in horror. "If I'd known that from the beginning, I never would have considered it!"
The two girls broke down in giggles before linking arms as Pansy led Lavender through a secret passageway and down a corridor.
"Three Broomsticks?" Pansy asked in a whisper, sneaking up to the one-eyed crone's hump and whispering, "Dissendium."
"But of course!" Lavender snickered as she slipped in the passageway that had appeared behind her friend. "And maybe Honeydukes, I'm short on Berty Botts again, thanks to someone…"
Pansy groaned and clutched her stomach. "I am never playing another game of truth-or-dare with you again, Lav."
"That's what you said last time, Pans."
"Oh, right."
Both girls giggled before moving down the darkened tunnel. Suddenly, Lavender remembered something that she'd been meaning to ask the Slytherin.
"Hey, Pans?" She girl in question made an affirmative noise. "You never did tell me how you found this passageway. And I was too excited and shocked last time to ask."
She snickered. "Another mark against Weasel. Potter might be almost as secretive and sly as a Slytherin, but Weasley is not. I was in plain sight one time when he ran to the statue, tapped the hump, and said the password loud enough for me to hear it, before jumping down the passageway and out of sight. I had to have spent twenty minutes laughing so hard I cried in the bathroom after that, before I could compose myself and head back to the common room."
Lavender outright laughed, for the first time in what felt like forever, as they reached the end of the tunnel and opened the trapdoor.
But, just as they were sneaking out of the cellar and into the crowded sweets shop, Lavender reached out and grabbed her friend's hand to stop her. Pansy looked back in confusion, only to meet Lavender's happy, teary golden-brown eyes.
"Thanks Pans. For everything." Pansy smiled, and they linked arms like they'd been friends their entire lives, rather than just weeks; before entering Honeydukes – and their new life – together, side-by-side, best of friends.
You know I've had my days
When I feel out of place... yea
I look at who I am
Cover what I can
I wish it all would change, but
Take the makeup away
You see the same girl still remains
She may not feel that beautiful
But there's nothing about her that's plain
You are jewel you're a treasure
You are one of a kind
And you shine just as bright
As the stars in the sky
You're a rare kind of wonder
Created just right so keep
Your head up no matter the pain
There's nothing about you that's plain
Now, months later, Lavender could see that it had nothing to do with her. She wasn't ugly, or plain, or ordinary. It wasn't even all Ron's fault. His eyes had just been filled by his loves – his world. And, in his world of three, there wasn't anymore room for another Gryffindor.
Now that her eyes weren't filled with stars and impossible dreams, Lavender could see the looks that boys threw her when they thought she wasn't looking. Looks that took in her modest, but cute clothing appreciatively. Ones that gazed at her wavy caramel-colored hair or couldn't look away from her jean-clad legs.
And, gradually, Lavender began to believe in what her parents had always told her. She was beautiful, and desirable, and precious.
There was nothing about her that was plain.
Now, it was time to help Pansy to see that.
But that's a battle for another time…
You may have felt plain, but
Girl they all know your name
Let me tell you something, yeah
There's nothing about you that's plain
A/N: Hope you liked the second chapter. Not many people are reading this… and I only got one review. That's a little depressing…
Anyway, I do this more for my own enjoyment (though an occasional review makes me happy, too) and so I had fun with this chapter.
Pansy's story will be next, so stay tuned. Thanks for reading!
A/N2: This song is called "Plain" by ZoeGirl.